Etymology Map
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Journal

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a daily record; a periodical

Where does the word "journal" come from? It comes from Latin diurnalis, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
diurnalis
Latin · ancient
"daily"
from 'dies', day
2
Stage 2 of 3
jurnal
Old French · medieval
"daily service book"
a book of daily prayers
3
Stage 3 of 3
journal
English · 1300s
"service book"
newspapers called 'journals' date from the 1700s
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Read the full story

Journal’s story begins in Latin: diurnalis meant “daily.” From 'dies', day. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as jurnal. A book of daily prayers. It reached English by 1300s as journal. Newspapers called 'journals' date from the 1700s. Today, journal means a daily record; a periodical.